Total newb.

[S.O.T.I.]

I'm just going to lay it all out at the beginning. I don't have a bike. I am here to change that. I am here to learn. I make no claims to know anything but I absorb things quickly and with respect to those that take the time to teach.

I'm originally from Detroit, but have lived in Korea for 6 years and now reside in middle Tennessee. Closest I came to owning a bike was as a teenager. I "owned" a 70s Honda 100 for 2 weeks before it was sold out from under me. Long story. Grew up in a household where the only bikes allowed had pedals. So, though I've always admired from afar, I'm just now in the position to finally acquire one. I know, I know, it might not be for me, but I'm determined to find that out for sure.
As for tastes, Cafe bikes absolutely light my fire. I'm more interested in a stripped down Yamaha xs1100 than a super bike like a Hayabusa or OCC chopper. I do respect those other bikes, but it's not what I like.
I hope I can find a place amongst you here, learn what I need to know and be a contributing member, eventually.
CHEERS!

 

[haircuttergirl]

Welcome to DTT Nose around, ask questions, these guys are helpful!

 

[canyoncarver]

Welcome to DTT. Just a suggestion, since it's your first, buy a decent running bike that doesn't need tons of work. Ride it for awhile before you change stuff. Get the basics of bike maintenance and safe riding. IMHO. Cheers!

 

[adventurco]

+1 to canyon. Welcome to the forum. Lots of good info here. Plenty of decent running bikes around for reasonable price that will do you well with a little bit of TLC. Learning to maintain and keep a vintage bike on the road is a great way to get into it.


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[S.O.T.I.]

Welcome to DTT. Just a suggestion, since it's your first, buy a decent running bike that doesn't need tons of work. Ride it for awhile before you change stuff. Get the basics of bike maintenance and safe riding. IMHO. Cheers!

Yep. That was my plan. I live in middle-TN, and there seem to be quite a few options like the Honda CB750, Suzuki GS series, and even a BMW or 2. Oh! And a few very early Goldwings that I found look AMAZING as cafe/brat bikes (Something I would not have thought of).
Thanks for the advice, it will be employed.

 

[surffly]

Don't buy an old bike, a café racer or anything you will "make your own"....
Just get a basic "modern" bike and log some miles. Learn to ride and learn what you enjoy doing.

THEN get a second bike to mess around with.
IF going for the café racer thing decide if you want "vintage performance" or a "chopper"

This is a chopper

This is a vintage performance bike

Many people that are new can not really tell the difference.

To me a café racer need to have performance. The base should be something that was raced. I cant see how you can do that with a CM400 Hawk.....
But that is a different dead horse to beat.

Really just take it slow.

DO NOT take the bike apart day one. That is dumb.
Any old bike will give you plenty of chances to learn things and wrench. don't make work for the sake of work.
While riding the bike identify weak points and come up with meaningful modifications that improve the bike.
The look will just sort of happen.

IF you want a bratt or other coppers then take the time to learn how these mods effect the function.
Don't blindly copy some stupid skateboard seat because you didn't think that the rear wheel will hit the frame.

LOTS of terrible inspiration pictures to be found.

 

[S.O.T.I.]

Don't buy an old bike, a café racer or anything you will "make your own"....
Just get a basic "modern" bike and log some miles. Learn to ride and learn what you enjoy doing.

THEN get a second bike to mess around with.
IF going for the café racer thing decide if you want "vintage performance" or a "chopper"

This is a chopper

This is a vintage performance bike

Many people that are new can not really tell the difference.

To me a café racer need to have performance. The base should be something that was raced. I cant see how you can do that with a CM400 Hawk.....
But that is a different dead horse to beat.

Really just take it slow.

DO NOT take the bike apart day one. That is dumb.
Any old bike will give you plenty of chances to learn things and wrench. don't make work for the sake of work.
While riding the bike identify weak points and come up with meaningful modifications that improve the bike.
The look will just sort of happen.

IF you want a bratt or other coppers then take the time to learn how these mods effect the function.
Don't blindly copy some stupid skateboard seat because you didn't think that the rear wheel will hit the frame.

LOTS of terrible inspiration pictures to be found.

Wow.
Care to try that again without the condescension and passive/aggressiveness?

 

[adventurco]

CB's and GS's are great bikes to start on, there are tons of resources and parts are readily available. I'm sure the same goes for the XS as well but I'm not so familiar with Kawi's. It's a good idea to pick up a running bike that's all stock, ride the shit out of it. Upgrade the things that are known to go wrong (charging systems on the GS bikes, etc. etc.). An inline twin is gonna be much less of a headache than an inline 4, especially if you aren't quite comfortable with carbs yet. Keep us posted when you pick something up.

I think surf's post is pretty accurate, since there are so many people out there building unsafe bikes or chopping a perfectly good stocker and then listing a pile of parts on craigslist...

 

[surffly]

Wow.
Care to try that again without the condescension and passive/aggressiveness?

Nope.
You are not a unique snowflake.
Not everyone gets a trophy.

 

[Mr.E]

Nope.
You are not a unique snowflake.
Not everyone gets a trophy.

That's OK, it's a two sided coin.

SOTI, welcome. It's true there are a lot of good folks and info here. There's also a lot of nonsense. I hope you get what you are looking for and can let the rest of it roll off because there's really quite a contingent of great ppl here, they just stay quiet these days. The old "nothing nice to say then say nothing" adage.

Canyon carver and adventureCo (yes,surffly too a point) all make valid points. And the advice about a non vintage bike is often rooted in watching ppl new to this buy a neat old bike, turn it into a pile of junk and then lose interest. It sucks. But don't let that get you, and that scenario doesn't apply to everyone. Some folks here would do well to remember that. The right bike will come along for you. It may not be exactly what you were searching for at first, but it all starts with a sale. Hopefully it will be running, but if not, try to get someone that knows OLD bikes to look at it with you. There's truth to not going after a 4cyl at first too. They cost more for motor work, but if the motor is good, don't worry about it.

Just ask away about any specific bikes you are interested in, we have experience with lots of types here. Myself, mostly sohc cb750''s and elsinores.

 

[S.O.T.I.]

That's OK, it's a two sided coin.

SOTI, welcome. It's true there are a lot of good folks and info here. There's also a lot of nonsense. I hope you get what you are looking for and can let the rest of it roll off because there's really quite a contingent of great ppl here, they just stay quiet these days. The old "nothing nice to say then say nothing" adage.

Canyon carver and adventureCo (yes,surffly too a point) all make valid points. And the advice about a non vintage bike is often rooted in watching ppl Jew to this buy a neat old bike, turn it into a pile of junk and then lose interest. It sucks. But don't let that get you, and that scenario doesn't apply to everyone. Some folks here would do well to remember that. The right bike will come along for you. It may not be exactly what you were searching for at first, but it all starts with a sale. Hopefully it will be running, but if not, try to get someone that knows OLD bikes to look at it with you. There's truth to not going after a 4cyl at first too. They cost more for motor work, but if the motor is good, don't worry about it.

Just ask away about any specific bikes you are interested in, we have experience with lots of types here. Myself, mostly sohc cb750''s and elsinores.

I don't know. I was looking for advice, camaraderie, interaction and a community. Not attitude. This site might not be for me.

 

[haircuttergirl]

I don't know. I was looking for advice, camaraderie, interaction and a community. Not attitude. This site might not be for me.

I think what Mr. E and the rest of us is trying to offer is advice, camaraderie, interaction, and community
Dtt is like any group, you have all kinds of folks in it. Some are more knowledgeable than others (like awesome famous bike builders), some are inexperienced with bikes (like myself), some are friendly and helpful, some are harsh and abrupt.
There's plenty of what you're looking for here, just stick around and see. Don't worry about the negative stuff- there'll be plenty of folks willing to help you learn by sharing stories of their worst mistakes and greatest triumphs. There's some gruff fellas around here, gotta take em with a grain of salt. Most folks here have excellent advice to offer, even if they don't always present it nicely. I've learned a lot from em and I'm still learning.
Thoughout my time on the forum, I've ended up meeting quite a few of these guys in person and have made friends with many. You won't find a nicer bunch of people, all connected by a common love of motorcyles.

 

[Tune-A-Fish]

there are so many people out there building unsafe bikes or chopping a perfectly good stocker and then listing a pile of parts on craigslist...

That would be me

I have a few for sale and live in west Tennessee if your still lookin :

 

[haircuttergirl]

That would be me

I have a few for sale and live in west Tennessee if your still lookin :

SOTI, Tune-A is one of the cranky guys you've gotta take with a grain of salt. ;D ;D ;D ;D

 

[Hurco550]

Nah, this site is for pretty much everyone. Nope your not a snowflake, and I doubt you wanna be one either stick it out, plenty of people wanna help, some are straight to the point and don't sugar coat it. Surfly, as well as others are full of knowledge, and thought they may not admit it, they started at zero and learned too.

I think there has been good advice on this thread already as well. I made the choice to start with a basket case cb550. It was over my head at the time, and has since been scattered in pieces throughout the dtt community, which saved me from having to post it on Craigslist ha. That said, through a few years of advice and gleaning info here, I recently rebuilt a bike from the ground up, in a one car garage with more than one person telling me things I did wrong or needed to do differently, and it turned out better for it. All that to say, if your anything like me, do it. It's a great feeling to complete something start to finish.

Anyhow, all that to say welcome to dtt. I hope you stick around. If you need anything and don't wanna post it up on a thread, pm me anytime and if I can't help, I'll do my best to point you to someone who can. I like two strokes myself, not the best with them, but that's what I'm mostly into.

Cheers buddy.

 

[S.O.T.I.]

I'll probably stick around, but dang, right out of the box with that kind of negativity? Anyways…
I do have a LIFETIME of experience tuning and building cars (mostly suspension) from all eras, from classic to modern import. So when I say newb, I literally mean ONLY to bikes. I'm sure I'll make a ton of mistakes, but that's the best way to learn. Really drives that lesson home!

As I stated above, I am looking at a nice 79' CB750 that runs and rides as-is, and just contacted a guy with a 79' GS1000 that turns over but won't start. Unfortunately, I am a little limited in funds and these are the types of bikes I have to consider if I'm ever going to get into anything.

 

[Tune-A-Fish]

That CB is a good simple machine, kinda like a sears sewing machine, keep it tuned and it will run forever. The carburetors need to be better than clean and jetting for the area where you live elevation and seasons effect the tune, get it right and feed it good clean gas and absolutely stabilize it for any storage a little lead add is not a bad idea too

Look forward to seeing the dang thing ;D

 

[Alex jb]

SOTI,
What's top of your priority list, tinkering or riding?
This isn't a loaded question, I ride a 40yr old bike and it's a toy/hobby more than a mode of transport, but I chose that, I have a modern car for my commute, I look forward to a few miles and maybe some garage time at the weekends.

IMO, get riding first, then make it faster/your own style later, but that's me and I've had enough miles and winters when 2 wheels was my only transport to relish climate control and adaptive cruise control!

Welcome to motorcycling.

Enjoy.


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[S.O.T.I.]

That CB is a good simple machine, kinda like a sears sewing machine, keep it tuned and it will run forever. The carburetors need to be better than clean and jetting for the area where you live elevation and seasons effect the tune, get it right and feed it good clean gas and absolutely stabilize it for any storage a little lead add is not a bad idea too

Look forward to seeing the dang thing ;D

I have pics the owner messaged me. I'll post them A.S.A.P. I live in middle TN. Literally. Where I live, if you were to bisect the state, it would probably be exactly where all of the lines crossed.

 

[S.O.T.I.]

SOTI,
What's top of your priority list, tinkering or riding?
This isn't a loaded question, I ride a 40yr old bike and it's a toy/hobby more than a mode of transport, but I chose that, I have a modern car for my commute, I look forward to a few miles and maybe some garage time at the weekends.

IMO, get riding first, then make it faster/your own style later, but that's me and I've had enough miles and winters when 2 wheels was my only transport to relish climate control and adaptive cruise control!

Welcome to motorcycling.

Enjoy.


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Of course. My idea was to buy a bone-stock bike, but one with the necessary "bones" to do what I am most attracted to, which is the brat/cafe look. I don't think it would be my primary source of transport, but certainly more than a "toy", if that makes sense.